in Your Home Created by Miriam Feinberg Early Childhood Consultant SHAVUOT • úåòåáù ­May, 2010 — Sivan, 5770

Shalom Parents,

Shavuot, meaning “weeks”, falls on the sixth day Eating dairy foods is customary on Shavuot. While of the Hebrew month of Sivan, seven weeks after the there are many reasons given for this practice, one is first day of Passover. This year, it starts on the evening that The Promised Land, which the Children of Israel of May 18. While it is a one-day holiday in Israel as were preparing to enter after having fled from Egypt, well as in some congregations outside Israel, many was referred to as “The land of milk and honey.” Diaspora congregations observe it for two days. The holiday has many meanings and customs. We adorn our homes and synagogues with greenery and flowers at this time, remembering the The Ten Commandments were given to us more harvest in ancient times. Also, greenery and flowers than 3300 years ago. Our Jewish ancestors came reminds us, as our Sages related, that although together during a great revelation at the foot of Mt. Mount Sinai is located in a desert, it bloomed when Sinai to hear and receive the Torah, which includes the Torah was received. the Ten Commandments. Every year on this holiday, we renew our acceptance of this amazing gift. The Ten Studying is an important aspect of Shavuot. Commandments are read aloud Staying up all night to learn Torah from the Torah on the (called Tikkun Leyl first day of Shavuot, Shavuot in Hebrew) is in synagogues a practice associated throughout the with the first night world. of Shavuot. In addition, many The Book of synagogues hold Ruth, with its confirmation harvest scenes, services for their is read in many youth on Shavuot, synagogues on tying together the Shavuot, a harvest end of the school festival. Ruth the year and students’ Moabite, a sincere commitment to convert to Judaism, Judaism, with the was the great- historical giving of the grandmother of the Torah to the Jewish great King David. people. Page Two CELEBRATE IN YOUR HOME May, 2010 Sivan, 5770 Shavuot • úåòåáù EXPRESSING THANKFULNESS Hebrew, goes from right to left. The children can tell The shehecheyanu blessing of Thanksgiving (said the story as they unwrap the scroll and look at the on this festival as well as on other major holidays) pictures they’ve created. reminds us that the world is a good place and we are happy to be part of it. COOKING Israeli Salad Bah-rooch Ah-tah A-do-nai El-lo-hay-nu Me-lech Ha- Since Shavuot is a harvest festival from The Land of oh-lam She-he-che-ya-nu V’kee-ma-nu V’hi’gi-ah-nu Israel, it’s appropriate to prepare foods that remind Laz-man Ha-zeh us of Israel.

Praised are you, A-do-nai our God, Sovereign of the Ingredients: Universe; who has kept us alive, sustained us, and 2 cucumbers helped us to reach this moment. 2 tomatoes 1 pepper (green, red With your child: Say the blessing when lighting the or yellow) holiday candles. Then discuss what each of you is 2 spring onions grateful for. olive (or vegetable) oil lemon juice STUDYING AND EATING salt Studying a Judaic topic with your child at home on the pepper first evening of Shavuot can be fun and memorable. zaatar (optional. This Two Shavuot traditions (all-night, [or at least late- herb can be night] study and eating dairy foods) can be combined. purchased from a Middle Eastern With your child: Have a pajama and ice cream market) party. Act out the story of Ruth and Naomi. With your child: Cut up the vegetables into small TELLING THE STORY pieces. Just before serving, season them lightly (to Materials: taste) with oil, lemon juice, salt, pepper and zaatar. The story of Ruth (page 3) The secret to making really good Israeli salad is using Drawing paper fresh vegetables and chopping them finely. Markers (in a variety of colors) Tape (scotch or masking) Honey Milk Balls As we create these treats we remember that the With your child: After telling the story of Ruth, draw Torah describes Israel as a “land flowing with milk pictures of it. Then help him place the pictures in and honey.” order (in proper sequence; beginning on the right side and moving to Ingredients the left). Tape the 2 cups cereal flakes papers together, ½ cup dry milk making a long ¼ cup honey horizontal strip of ½ cup coconut story pictures. Then roll up the papers, With your child: Mix all ingredients together; and starting from the form into balls. left side, creating a scroll. The picture APPRECIATING NATURE describing the With your child: Visit a park, beginning of the or a botanical garden or a story will be on farm. Encourage her to top. Point out that discuss the things she sees books written in and experiences in nature. English go from left Note things that were to right. The story created by God and those of Ruth, written in that were made by people. Page Three CELEBRATE IN YOUR HOME May, 2010 Sivan, 5770 Shavuot • úåòåáù MAKING FLOWERS With your child: Cut a strip of crepe paper (about Decorate your home or synagogue with flowers. In 10 inches long and 1-2 inches wide). Rub glue all addition to using real flowers and greens, you and over a straw. Then wrap the crepe paper around the your children can make them. straw, starting at the top and continuing in a circular fashion, completely covering the straw with paper. Materials Set aside the stem you’ve created. Now draw an Green crepe paper outline of your child’s hand on the construction Glue paper (with her palm down on the paper). Cut out Scissors the outline. Roll each outlined finger around the A few plastic straws pencil. Remove the pencil after the paper is rolled. A few pieces of Attach the wrist of the hand outline to the straw with construction paper scotch tape. Make a few more hand outlines, roll up (red or pink) the finger outlines and attach the wrists to the straw A pencil with scotch tape. Place your flower in a vase and Scotch tape decorate your holiday table.

THE BOOK OF RUTH TO TELL TO CHILDREN

A long time ago, Naomi lived with her husband and “What a wonderful idea!” said Naomi. She was very two sons and their wives in a land called Moav. After happy that Ruth had come with her to Bethlehem. Naomi’s husband and sons died, she decided to go Day after day, Ruth worked hard in the fields picking back to her home in the Land of Israel. She told her up grain left behind by the farmer. She and Naomi two daughters-in-law. “I miss my home in Bethlehem, had enough to eat. While Ruth was working in the in the Land of Israel. Now that I am old, I must go fields, Naomi worked hard at home. They took care back. You two stay here with your families.” of each other.

One daughter- Boaz, the owner in-law did as of the field, was Naomi said, but happy to share his the other one, grain with those Ruth, said “I’ll who needed the go with you to food. He was a kind Bethlehem.” and generous man. Nothing Naomi When Boaz and Ruth said could got to know each change Ruth’s other, they fell in mind. So they love. After a while went together they were married. to the Land of Then, after some Israel. more time passed, Ruth gave birth to a It was a very, baby boy that she very long way to named Oved. Naomi go and it took lived with Ruth and them a long Boaz and took care time to reach of Oved. Naomi Bethlehem. When they finally got there they were knew she always had a home with Ruth and Boaz and tired and hungry and had no money or food. “I have she loved taking care of the baby. an idea,” said Ruth. “Since this is the beginning of the harvest, I’ll go to the fields and pick up grain that was When Oved grew up, he had a son named Jesse. left there by the farmers during the harvest. Needy Jesse grew up and had a son named David. David people are allowed to do that, so the farmers won’t grew up and became a famous Jewish King of Israel. mind at all. Then we will have food.” The Torah has many stories about King David. Page Four CELEBRATE IN YOUR HOME May, 2010 Sivan, 5770 Shavuot • úåòåáù Sharing Jewish Values With Our Children

Shavuot offers a perfect time for us to demonstrate mitzvot (commandments from the Torah that guide us in doing the right thing) with our children. How do we know the right thing to do? Can we teach those things to our children? The Torah guides us.

Tikkun Olam (pronounced tea-kune oh-lahm)— Repairing the world. This includes helping others, caring for the earth’s people and its environment; and valuing nature.

Hachnasat Orchim (pronounced hach-nah-saht or-cheem) — Welcoming guests; including family members, friends and those new to the community.

Talmud Torah (pronounced tal-mood to-rah) — Studying and telling Torah and holiday stories.

These are only a few of many Jewish values that can and should be shared with our children as we prepare for and celebrate Shavuot. Reading books together and engaging in discussions usually leads to very interesting questions, which then leads to further discussions. Most importantly, though, is the role-modeling that our behavior presents to our children. We are their first teachers. A RECOMMENDED SELECTION OF BOOKS A Mountain of Blintzes by B.D.Goldin, Gulliver/ Who Knows Ten? By M. Cone, UAHC Press, 1998. Harcourt, 2001. How can a poor family with five Each of the Ten Commandments is presented children get ingredients to make blintzes and through an illustrative story. This book is appropriate celebrate Shavuot? In this entertaining story, the for four to seven year olds. children devise a plan that ends with a heaping platter of delectable blintzes–cheese or fruit-filled Sammy Spider’s First Shavuot by S.A. Rouss, Kar- crepes–for which the recipe is provided. The fun Ben Publishing, 2008. Sammy Spider and his mother story and its beautiful watercolor illustrations delight watch and learn as Mrs. Shapiro makes blintzes for three to eight year olds. Shavuot. This beautifully illustrated book includes a blintz recipe and a story explaining the meaning of The Story of Ruth by M.R. Schur, Kar-Ben Shavuot. Three to six year olds love the book. Publishing, Inc., 2005. The popular biblical story of Ruth and Naomi, retold in this beautifully illustrated No Rules for Michael, by S. A. Rouss, Kar-Ben, picture book, is loved by four to eight year olds. 2003. Michael thinks school would be more fun without rules and he gets his wish. But is it exactly Ten Good Rules: A Counting Book by S.R.Topek, what he was hoping for? Four to seven year olds love Kar-Ben Publishing, 2007. Each of the Ten this Shavuot story. Commandments received by Moses on Mt. Sinai is AND OTHER RESOURCES presented in clear and age appropriate language, CDs: accompanied by appealing photographs of children. Jewish Holiday Songs From Rosh Hashanah to Three to six year olds enjoy this book. Shavuot, Sung by various artists. Celebrate With Cindy: Jewish Holiday Music Torah Talk by M. Feinberg, Y. Chubara and R. For Children by Cindy Paley. Rotenberg, Behrman House Publishing Co., 1989. Both CDs can be enjoyed by the entire family. A selection of Bible stories, rewritten to be read to Websites: three to seven year olds, is accompanied by follow-up www.ou.org/holidays www.holidays.net/ questions, discussion topics and creative activities. www.alljudaica.com www.judaicaforkids.com

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